United Way exceeds goal with more than $3M in donations

Donations have been steadily rising since 2009, officials say

By Turney FosheeSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Friday, January 20, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 11:34 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | The United Way of West Alabama surpassed its fundraising for 2011, officials said at the group’s annual end-of-the-campaign celebration, which was Thursday night at the Capstone Bank headquarters in downtown Tuscaloosa.

The fundraising goal for 2011 was set at $3 million. Late donations from local businesses and private citizens helped push the number to a final total of $3,168,565.

Robert Kuhn, Capstone Bank CEO and the campaign chairman, said he was “particularly pleased with this year’s fundraising effort given what the Tuscaloosa community has been through over the past year.”

The goal for 2010 was also $3 million, said Rusty Smith, vice president for United Way of West Alabama, and the 2011 total exceeded the 2010 total by more than $40,000.

Donations to the organization have been steadily rising since 2009, Smith said.

United Way of West Alabama provides funding to 27 nonprofit partner agencies, such as Temporary Emergency Services and the Red Cross, Smith said.

Bev Leigh III, chapter executive for the West Alabama Red Cross, said his agency depends on the United Way for nearly 40 percent of its yearly budget.

“The tornado last April was a $16 million event, and the community has responded very well to our need,” Leigh said.

Fran Reilly, campaign director, said there were concerns that donations would fall this year because of all the charity that went toward tornado relief in the immediate aftermath, yet donations were as strong as ever.

“The tornado really put our agencies in the spotlight,” Reilly said.

“Everyone is touched by the United Way. Either directly or they know someone who has been helped by one of the agencies,” said Randy Skagen, 2011 board president.

About 400 volunteers help to manage the fundraising campaign each year, Reilly said, with about 300 companies participating as well.

The United Way of West Alabama’s fundraising goal for 2012 will be announced later in the year. More information about the organization can be found online at www.uwwa.org.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | The United Way of West Alabama surpassed its fundraising for 2011, officials said at the group's annual end-of-the-campaign celebration, which was Thursday night at the Capstone Bank headquarters in downtown Tuscaloosa.</p><p>The fundraising goal for 2011 was set at $3 million. Late donations from local businesses and private citizens helped push the number to a final total of $3,168,565.</p><p>Robert Kuhn, Capstone Bank CEO and the campaign chairman, said he was “particularly pleased with this year's fundraising effort given what the Tuscaloosa community has been through over the past year.”</p><p>The goal for 2010 was also $3 million, said Rusty Smith, vice president for United Way of West Alabama, and the 2011 total exceeded the 2010 total by more than $40,000.</p><p>Donations to the organization have been steadily rising since 2009, Smith said.</p><p>United Way of West Alabama provides funding to 27 nonprofit partner agencies, such as Temporary Emergency Services and the Red Cross, Smith said.</p><p>Bev Leigh III, chapter executive for the West Alabama Red Cross, said his agency depends on the United Way for nearly 40 percent of its yearly budget. </p><p>“The tornado last April was a $16 million event, and the community has responded very well to our need,” Leigh said. </p><p>Fran Reilly, campaign director, said there were concerns that donations would fall this year because of all the charity that went toward tornado relief in the immediate aftermath, yet donations were as strong as ever.</p><p>“The tornado really put our agencies in the spotlight,” Reilly said. </p><p>“Everyone is touched by the United Way. Either directly or they know someone who has been helped by one of the agencies,” said Randy Skagen, 2011 board president.</p><p>About 400 volunteers help to manage the fundraising campaign each year, Reilly said, with about 300 companies participating as well.</p><p>The United Way of West Alabama's fundraising goal for 2012 will be announced later in the year. More information about the organization can be found online at www.uwwa.org.</p>